Twilight

Twilight


Dim twilight of life
Regret most  the parting from
Those once held so close


Ken Goree


I just finished a “classic” sci-fi book, Childhoods End.  I found it a bit bleak.  Though I enjoyed the wonderful writing of Arthur C. Clark, I didn’t get an uplifting feeling of joy at the end.  I also didn’t feel  the tearful chill one gets from the triumph of the human spirit, even in loss. 

Quick, I need another book, with a more uplifting ending.

Robin

Robin


I hear
This spring morning
The voices of
Robin
I think
That perhaps
If I listened
A little harder
I might  understand
The message
Behind his
Three
And four
Note songs.

I sit
On my back porch
Hands cupped
Warming against
My coffee
Drops of water
From branches
Dot ripples
Across the pond
Even in the chill of
Winter’s last nudge
I understand
Robin’s message
Spring has come


Ken Goree


I think I like the way this poem turned out.  I had started out wondering if I should be silly with it.  I listened to the robins out back and noticed the two different songs; one three notes, the other four notes.  There was occasionally a song that trilled on six or seven notes, but that could have been two robins talking at the same time.

I wondered, was the the three note song the males, “Hey, Baby.”  Could the four note song have been the females, “Come here, Big Boy.” 

I think I prefer the way I went with the poem.

My Desire

My Desire

Waiting for spring time
Weary of winter’s chill grasp
Desire Nature’s return

Frogs’ voices signal
The charge of returning life
Refilling life’s only lack



Ken Goree


The poetry form is a Sedoka.  It is constructed of two stanzas, Katuata.  A Katuata  is an unrhymed, three line poem, with a 5, 7, 7 syllable pattern. 

In the Sedoka, the two Katuata often concern the same subject, but from different angles.

Morning Wood

Morning Wood

Chill and silent
Standing watch
Imposing
Blocking light
Fir boughs lace together
Trying to hold back
Inquisitive mists
Night creatures have settled
Nocturnal haunts
Light creatures have yet
To stir
Thoughtful footfalls
Cause rustles on
Blanket of fallen
Needles.



Ken Goree

Good Parting

I figured I should give a little scenario, before the poem ... you'll understand.

I woke to an interesting dream this morning.  It was so clear, and real, more real than life often feels.  Colors were more pure, the feel of each surface transported through my being so that I felt at one with each and every particle of the universe.  In my dream, I had achieved self-actualiztion … is that the right term?  I was at one with everything; was part of everything. 

I was dying of some incurable disease.  I was at peace with it, and my very loving friends had finally come to the point where they understood, and were able to share in my peace.  We celebrated my last days in a calm, happy holiday.  I savored every last feeling, knowing that they would likely never be felt again; the pain as precious as the tender warm sensations of love. 

The most poignant sensation was that of the love my friends surrounded me with.  There was no sadness, but a deep happiness for having been close for many years, and the expectation of sharing one of my life’s most significant moments. 

When I passed, I was with the love of my life.  There were no tears.  No hallow feeling of loss and emptiness.  We all knew we were still part of each other; a bond that would never be broken, or lessened.

I hope when my time comes, those who knew me will be happy for the experience.  I have no interest in an early parting from this life, but I hope when it is my time I can meet it in the presence of love and friendship that I experienced in this dream.  I hope I can meet the inevitable with joy in my heart, at the lifelong accumulation of the gifts of the moments I really lived.

No, I’m not high.  Likewise, I am not sick in any life threatening way that I know of.  At least there are none that I know of, or suspect.

Good Parting

Gentle, peaceful sigh
Warm smile, comforting embrace
Last, mortal breath


Ken Goree